Time is short during the holiday season — even shorter than usual. Still, there is no excuse to skip out on working out. Try these tips to squeeze in some exercise.
Use Intervals
Interval training alternates between different exercises, usually with varying degrees of effort, speed or strength. This alternation between more-intense and less-intense workouts can bring big benefits. The Mayo Clinic says interval training can burn more calories, improve your aerobic capacity and be done without special equipment. As with any workout, make sure to warm up and stretch before and after you exercise.
Use Your Bodyweight
Bodyweight exercises are much what they sound like. They use the body’s natural weight to build strength in muscle groups. No special equipment or extra weights are needed. An example of a bodyweight exercise is a chin-up, sit-up or push-up. However, you can also do twists, squats and balance exercises. Start out with two sets of 10 reps and only increase the sets or reps when it becomes easy.
Go for a Walk
Look at your holiday errands and see if you can walk to any shops or stores you plan to visit. If you do have to drive, park as far from the store as possible. Skip the elevators and take the stairs. When you have a break at work, take a stroll around the neighborhood, to a different floor, or maybe even just around the parking lot. Anything to get your step count (and your energy levels) up.
Don’t Ignore Your Core
Getting your arms and legs moving is easy, but pay attention to your core muscles, too. Your core muscles are in your torso and help with balance, posture and strength. Some exercises that focus on the area are planks (balance your weight on your toes and forearms and hold the position), kneeling extensions (on your hands and knees, extend one leg and the opposite arm out and hold for a count of 10), and chair crunches (on your back, place your lower legs on a chair and your hands behind your head, then slowly curl upwards).
For something more formal, like a quick class, read this, and then kick off the New Year with these.